Methods and compositions for protecting against cataract development associated with vitrectomies

Abstract

The present invention provides methods and compositions for protecting against cataract development during and after a vitreous replacement, and for treating cataracts in a subject. The methods include using, for vitreous replacement in a vitrectomy, a vitreous replacement solution having a lower oxygen concentration than an air-saturated vitreous replacement solution. The compositions include low-oxygen-concentration vitreous replacement solutions, which may comprise reduced glutathione and/or ascorbic acid. Also provided are methods of using the compositions, during a vitreous replacement or vitrectomy, to protect against cataract development in a subject.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for protecting against cataract development in a subject, during a vitreous replacement, comprising use of a vitreous replacement solution having a low oxygen concentration.  
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the oxygen concentration of the low-oxygen-concentration solution is between about 0% and about 2%.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the oxygen concentration is about 0%.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the low-oxygen-concentration solution includes reduced glutathione and ascorbic acid.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the low-oxygen-concentration solution includes reduced glutathione.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the glutathione in the solution has a concentration between about 0.01 mM and about 10 mM.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the glutathione concentration is between about 0.1 mM and about 2 mM.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the glutathione concentration is about 1 mM.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the low-oxygen-concentration solution is an initial vitreous replacement solution from which at least a portion of the oxygen has been removed.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the at least a portion of the oxygen is removed by subjecting the initial solution to at least a partial vacuum.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the initial solution is subjected to the at least a partial vacuum for about 10 minutes to about 15 minutes.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the at least a portion of the oxygen is removed by introducing an essentially-oxygen-free gas into the initial solution.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the essentially-oxygen-free gas is an inert gas.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the essentially-oxygen-free gas is a noble gas.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the essentially-oxygen-free gas is nitrogen gas.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the essentially-oxygen-free gas is introduced into the initial solution by bubbling the gas through the initial solution, thereby producing a low-oxygen-concentration solution.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the gas is bubbled through the initial solution for about 10 minutes immediately prior to introduction of the low-oxygen-concentration solution into an eye of a subject.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the low-oxygen-concentration solution includes ascorbic acid.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the ascorbic acid in the solution has a concentration that is sufficiently high to protect against cataract development in a subject.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the ascorbic acid concentration is between about 0 mM and about 10 mM.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the ascorbic acid concentration is between about 0.5 mM and about 5 mM.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the ascorbic acid concentration is between about 1 mM and about 3 mM.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the ascorbic acid concentration is about 2 mM.  
     
     
         24 . Use of a vitreous replacement solution having a low-oxygen concentration during a vitrectomy, wherein the low-oxygen-concentration solution is produced by removing at least a portion of the oxygen from an initial vitreous replacement solution.  
     
     
         25 . The use recited in  claim 24 , wherein the low-oxygen-concentration solution includes reduced glutathione.  
     
     
         26 . A low-oxygen-concentration vitreous replacement solution for use in vitrectomies, wherein the low-oxygen-concentration solution is an initial vitreous replacement solution from which at least a portion of the oxygen has been removed.  
     
     
         27 . The low-oxygen-concentration solution of  claim 26 , which includes reduced glutathione.  
     
     
         28 . The low-oxygen-concentration solution of  claim 26 , which includes ascorbic acid.  
     
     
         29 . The low-oxygen-concentration solution of  claim 26 , which includes reduced glutathione and ascorbic acid.  
     
     
         30 . A method for protecting against cataract development and/or for treating a cataract in a subject, comprising reducing oxygen concentration in a vitreous of the subject.